The push for global decarbonization has placed hydrogen at the forefront of industrial transformation, offering a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. This article explores the pivotal role of low-carbon hydrogen in reducing emissions across key sectors, including petroleum refining, fertilizer production, and energy operations. By highlighting innovative applications such as green hydrogen in hydrotreating processes, ammonia production, and as an alternative fuel, the article further uncovers how hydrogen is driving efficiency, sustainability, and progress toward net-zero goals.
Decarbonizing Refineries With Low-Carbon Hydrogen
Petroleum refineries rely heavily on hydrogen for processes like hydrotreating and hydrocracking, which are essential for producing cleaner fuels and breaking down heavy hydrocarbons into lighter molecules. Currently, much of the hydrogen used in these processes is derived from fossil fuels, specifically natural gas, through steam methane reforming, which emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Transitioning to low-carbon hydrogen, such as green hydrogen produced via electrolysis powered by renewable energy, offers a pathway to significantly reduce emissions within the refining sector. Studies suggest that substituting green hydrogen for conventional hydrogen in hydrotreating units alone could mitigate approximately 22% of the sector’s CO2 emissions (Wallington et. al.)
Beyond emissions reduction in traditional refining processes, low-carbon hydrogen can play a transformative role in upgrading unconventional resources, such as oil sands, by providing a cleaner input for their conversion into refined products. As global demand for refined oil products decreases due to the energy transition, incorporating green hydrogen aligns refineries with sustainability goals while enhancing their operational flexibility to adapt to decarbonization targets. Consequently, this shift not only supports climate objectives but also strengthens the long-term viability of refineries in a low-carbon economy.
Transforming Ammonia Production and Industrial Sustainability
Hydrogen is a critical input in the Haber–Bosch process, which combines hydrogen and nitrogen to produce ammonia, a key component of agricultural fertilizers. Most of the hydrogen used for this process is derived from fossil fuels, making ammonia production one of the most carbon-intensive industrial processes. Adopting low-carbon hydrogen, such as green hydrogen produced via renewable-powered electrolysis or blue hydrogen with carbon capture and storage, can significantly reduce emissions from fertilizer production. Ultimately, this shift supports sustainable agriculture by lowering the carbon footprint of fertilizers while maintaining the high efficiency of the Haber–Bosch process.
Outside of the fertilizer industry, ammonia has versatile applications in industries such as plastics, paints, and explosives, where it serves as a precursor to other chemicals like methanol. As industries move away from fossil fuel-based production methods, the demand for low-carbon hydrogen in methanol production is expected to rise. By replacing conventional hydrogen with low-carbon alternatives, these industries can reduce their environmental impact, paving the way for more sustainable manufacturing practices while supporting global decarbonization goals.
Hydrogen as an Alternative Fuel: A Path to Cleaner Energy and Industrial Operations
Hydrogen is an abundant and clean alternative fuel with immense potential to reduce CO2 emissions across various industrial and energy sectors. In petroleum exploration and production, hydrogen can serve as a fuel to lower emissions during reservoir extraction processes. In addition, advanced knowledge of petroleum geoscience and engineering is also being utilized to explore and produce subsurface natural hydrogen, opening new pathways for sustainable energy sourcing. By integrating hydrogen into operations, the sector can achieve significant emission reductions while maintaining productivity.
In heating applications, hydrogen offers a cleaner alternative to natural gas. For example, oil tanks in cold climates use natural gas-fueled heating tubes to maintain high temperatures for separating oil, water, and solids. Using hydrogen-rich fuels, with a volume fraction of 20 to 75%, can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 51%, depending on the blend (Consonni et. al). In crude oil production, substituting natural gas with hydrogen as a heating fuel can achieve CO2 emission reductions of approximately 5 kg/bbl of crude oil, demonstrating hydrogen’s efficiency in industrial decarbonization.
Hydrogen also has significant potential in thermal production methods for heavy oil and oil sands. At the moment, steam used for these processes is generated by burning natural gas, which contributes to high CO2 emissions. Replacing natural gas with hydrogen as a fuel for steam generation could eliminate up to 76% of emissions from oil sands production, particularly when coupled with carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies (Zhang et. al.). This integration of hydrogen into thermal recovery processes provides a cleaner, more sustainable approach to producing heavy crude while advancing global decarbonization efforts.
Hydrogen’s versatility and potential to replace carbon-intensive fuels make it a cornerstone for decarbonizing industries. From cleaner refining processes and sustainable ammonia production to reducing emissions in energy and heavy oil operations, low-carbon hydrogen is reshaping industrial practices for a sustainable future. By adopting hydrogen-driven solutions, industries can align with global climate targets while fostering innovation and long-term operational resilience.
For Further Reading
Green Hydrogen Pathways, Energy Efficiencies, and Intensities for Ground, Air, and Marine Transportation by T. Wallington, M. Woody, G. Lewis, University of Michigan; et. al.
Low-Carbon Hydrogen via Integration of Steam Methane Reforming With Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells at Low Fuel Utilization by S. Consonni, Politecnico di Milano, L. Mastropasqua, University of California, M. Spinelli, LEAP; et. al.
The Role of Hydrogen in the Energy Transition of the Oil and Gas Industry by K. Zhang, L. He, China University of Geosciences; L. Jiang, University of Calgary; et. al.
